In my last job, the female service delivery manager was like a bulldozer, she managed to alienate most of the IT department. It's not just me saying this. I found the male management more receptive to input and more attuned to the feedback coming from staff.
I did find the banding together of male staff against her sexist, and I think there's sexist attitudes prevalent in the society where I live. But on the other hand I think if she were fairer and considered her underlings when making decisions she would have had a much better reception. I think people would have given her a fair go if she did the same.
One of my female coworkers continually put down people with sarcastic comments. She would deliberately make distracting noises when people were trying to concentrate (I'm not the only one to notice this). So not all female coworkers are soft and cuddly!
Then again, a male employee where I work now was the typical programmer with no social skills type - would jump down your throat at the slightest opportunity to prove his superiority. Had no sense of humour. Would condescendingly point out things that any moron would have picked up.
There's all sorts I guess :) But I do agree that in general where I live, the IT departments are macho and competitive because of the fact that they are mostly made up of men. So it would be harder being the stereotypical female in these places.